Newsletter - Celebrating Thanksgiving Safely With Senior Loved Ones
The family is coming for Thanksgiving and mouths are already watering just thinking about Grandma’s pumpkin pie. But did you know that during the Thanksgiving holiday, an increased number of older adults go to the emergency room? Over Thanksgiving, everything from fall injuries to food poisoning can leave senior loved ones putting on a hospital gown rather than their favorite pajamas and slippers.
Have a Safe Trip!
During the holidays, many families choose to travel by car, which, according to the National Safety Council, “has the highest fatality rate of any major form of transportation based on fatalities per passenger mile.” Following these holiday travel tips can help keep everyone safe. Make sure older adults are properly buckled up and comfortable for the ride. For air, train or bus travel, book nonstop tickets to avoid the hassle and confusion that may result if seniors must rush from one terminal or station stop to another. For a senior with mobility concerns, airports and train and bus stations may offer special wheelchair assistance or an attendant to help.
Too Close for Comfort
It is tempting to pull out ample decorations for Thanksgiving and add seating throughout the house, but excess furniture, electrical cords and holiday displays can create fall hazards for all ages. It is best to keep decorations simple and pathways around the home free of clutter.
Food for Thought
Cooking injuries such as minor burns and cuts are a top culprit for emergency room trips on Thanksgiving, as well as candle and kitchen fires and turkey fryer incidents. While delicious, the traditional Thanksgiving meal can cause dietary challenges for older adults with health conditions. Improper handling, cooking or storing of food are other problems that could send family and guests to the ER on Thanksgiving. Food poisoning or severe gastritis can be particularly worrisome for seniors with already compromised immune systems.
The Best Medicine
Remind elders to pack all their medications for their holiday trip. If they are visiting only on Thanksgiving Day, ask them to bring their regular medications, plus a few dosages just in case they need to stay over a day or two.
Teaming Up
Right at Home’s professional, trained caregivers can accompany a loved one on the trip to see relatives and friends during Thanksgiving to provide assistance and an extra measure of safety. If the senior would happen to end up in the hospital, Right at Home’s RightTransitions® program can provide care and support to the loved one during the transition from the hospital back home.
We Love Our Caregivers!
Last week we celebrated Professional Caregiver Appreciation week. We are so thankful for our caregivers and the amazing jobs that they do taking care of our clients everyday. At Right at Home we LOVE our amazing caregivers, so our office staff wore these "We Love Our Caregivers" t-shirts to show our appreciation! Even Myla, our registered therapy dog, joined in the celebration!
Principal for a Day
Le'ana White recently participated in "Principal for a Day" through the Covington Newton Chamber of Commerce. She spent the day shadowing Clydia Newell, Principal of Porterdale Elementary School (pictured right).
The school day was followed by a round table session with members of the Board of Education and Newton County Schools Superintendent, Samantha Fuhrey, Ed.S. Le'ana is pictured below with Fuhrey and her participation certificate.
A huge thank you to the Newton Chamber, Porterdale Elementary, Clydia Newell, and Samantha Fuhrey for giving us this opportunity to experience a "day in the life" in the public schools.
Myla Visits Local Facility
Mark Ross, Right at Home Agency Director; Myla, Registered Therapy Dog; and Jack Moon, Community Outreach Liaison, recently visited Laurel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility in Stockbridge. Mark and Myla are pictured here with staff and patients.
